Billy Graham Celebrates 96th Birthday With New Film Announcment: 'I Know I'm Going to Heaven,'

Christian Post ^ | 11/8/2014 | Emma Koonse

[SeekAndFind]

Billy Graham is ringing in his 96th year with friends and family on Friday, and fellow faith leaders are sending an outpouring of well wishes to the famed evangelical preacher today.

In a far cry from last year's birthday celebration involving over 800 guests, Graham is marking his birthday this year with a quiet celebration at his Montreat, NC home, according to a press release issued on Nov. 7. Will Graham, the grandson of Billy Graham, was unavailable for comment to The Christian Post, but his father Franklin assured fans that the 96-year-old is doing well.

"Although his physical condition keeps him homebound, he remains interested in current events and the ongoing work of the ministry that he began more than 60 years ago," said Billy Graham's eldest son.

The president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association also announced the debut of "Heaven," the latest "My Hope with Billy Graham" film, which features a never-before-seen message from Billy.

"Opportunities like 'My Hope' and the 'Heaven' film are ways that we can help my father to continue the work that God called us to do," Franklin added. "Please pray for my father, and for those who will watch this film, that they too may know the peace found in Jesus Christ."

Recorded last year, the message conveys a still-passionate Billy Graham who discussed his imminent death.

"I know I'm going to heaven. I'm looking forward to it with great anticipation," Graham says in the film before explaining how people can share that same faith.

Despite his struggle with deteriorating eyesight and hearing, Graham still enjoys daily devotions, Bible reading and prayer with his staff, as well as visits with family and close friends. On his 96th birthday, many of Graham's friends, including Saddleback Church's Rick Warren, posted special messages on social media.

"Happy #96th to my oldest mentor #BillyGraham. Thanks for guiding, defending and loving me for 35 yrs," the pastor wrote on Twitter.

[boatbums]

Rather, such declension is due to departing from the primary distinctive of the Reformation, that of holding Scripture as the supreme authority as the accurate and wholly inspired actual word of God, while those who do so most strongly as the most conservative. In contrast, the fruit of Rome is that of a majority being liberal, following what Rome effectually teaches by treating even proabortion, prosodomite, promuslim pols as members in life and in death, and their supporter, showing what she really believes.

I marvel at the duplicity and hypocrisy of those who blame sola Scriptura for the relativism of modern denominations, presuming that doctrine is the cause of people "making it up as they go along". Yet, Roman Catholicism is the epitome of such relativism and they justify it (after admitting that the modern RCC is not the same as the early church in doctrines) by asserting they have the authority given by Christ, Himself, to determine what is truth. If anything, it is THIS reason why some denominations leave the authority of God's word for "whatever we say is the truth". If Catholicism can get away with it, why not other churches?

[boatbums]

Peter warned us. Paul warned us.

So why only quote James then? In light of the many OTHER verses that say we are NOT justified by works IN THE SIGHT OF GOD:

Romans 8:30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. ...

Galatians 2:16 know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ ...

Galatians 3:11 Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because "the righteous will live by faith ...

Galatians 2:17 "But if, in seeking to be justified in Christ, we Jews find ourselves also among the sinners, doesn't that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not! ...

Luke 18:14 "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. ... I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. ...

Titus 3:7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. ...

Romans 3:24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. ...

1 Corinthians 6:11 ... But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. ...

Galatians 5:4 You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. ...

Galatians 3:24 So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. ...

Romans 4:2 If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about--but not before God. ...

Romans 3:28 For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.

Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ ...

Romans 5:9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! ...

Romans 10:10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. ...

[Kackikat]

JESUS SAID this is my body and this is my blood DO THIS IN REMEMBERANCE OF ME......allow people to have their own faith and communion. That should not affect you, and you do not have to control how they honor the shedding of Jesus blood nor how their Church service operates, nor whether they drink wine or grape juice.

“If Jesus shall make you free you shall be free indeed”.

I am so tired of seeing people trying to control other people’s way of worship, and how they believe.....it’s not changing whether you go to heaven or not. So if you see it symbolic or you see it as his blood and body, that is between you and Christ.

Communion is for you to look inside yourself for sin, repent, and then take communion....so don’t worry about others or what it means to them.

[redleghunter]

There is no transubstantiation in the text of 1Corinthians 11.

After explaining what was received from Christ Paul then summarizes:

“For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.”

You are trying to find here more than what is revealed. Paul calls it bread after explaining the Lord’s Supper.

And yes Paul tells us the Corinthians were making a mockery and mess of a sacred gathering of the Body of Christ His church.

[daniel1212]

I marvel at the duplicity and hypocrisy of those who blame sola Scriptura for the relativism of modern denominations, presuming that doctrine is the cause of people "making it up as they go along". Yet, Roman Catholicism is the epitome of such relativism and they justify it (after admitting that the modern RCC is not the same as the early church in doctrines) by asserting they have the authority given by Christ, Himself, to determine what is truth. If anything, it is THIS reason why some denominations leave the authority of God's word for "whatever we say is the truth". If Catholicism can get away with it, why not other churches?

True, as the devil is the one who exalted himself, as does Rome and cults. And who will be abased.

[af_vet_1981]

I had previously quoted Peter and Paul. For an explanation if what Paul meant by works see Romans 3:20 is the first occurrence of the expression "works of the Torah" (Gk., ergon nomou) in Paul. This term is familiar in modern preaching as "works of the law," however it would be more properly translated in context as "works of Torah," since the law (nomos) Paul is everywhere speaking of in Romans and Galatians is the Mosaic Law (Torah; nomos being the common Septuagint translation of the Hebrew term "Torah"; see the parallel essay, "The Law in Paul" for further discussion).

[redleghunter]

>>Where does Rome unequivocally infallibly teach that one cannot by sure they are a child of God now, and will go to be with the Lord at death or at His return, as Scripture teaches?<<

Just came back from a Catholic viewing and funeral for a doctor of mine and friend. The Irish priest in his eulogy used some very certain words the deceased was with Christ. He quoted John 14, John 12 and many other beloved verses of blessed assurance. He was not reading from prepared comments. I’ve been to quite a many Catholic funerals. This one was quite different. The priest was also a personal friend of my friend. When the priest stated that he knew the deceased “accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior” as the basis of his assurance, I almost fell out of the pew.

We sometimes have to put these great doctrinal discussions in perspective as many walk in faith without considering the theological issues looming about.

[af_vet_1981]

Read it again. Harmonize it with John, Matthew, Luke, Hebrews, and Revelation. It seems to me you should know what the Protestants and Evangelicals do with the ordinance is not genuine, just a pale shadow. The restorationist movements may try to hold it once a year during a Passover Seder and this also falls short.

[boatbums]

I had previously quoted Peter and Paul. For an explanation if what Paul meant by works see Romans 3:20 is the first occurrence of the expression "works of the Torah" (Gk., ergon nomou) in Paul. This term is familiar in modern preaching as "works of the law," however it would be more properly translated in context as "works of Torah," since the law (nomos) Paul is everywhere speaking of in Romans and Galatians is the Mosaic Law (Torah; nomos being the common Septuagint translation of the Hebrew term "Torah"; see the parallel essay, "The Law in Paul" for further discussion).

What "Law" was Abraham justified under? He was 400+ years BEFORE Moses came into the scene, so, it cannot be the Law of Moses Paul "meant" when he said IF Abraham had been justified by works he would have something to boast about - but NOT before God. The Holy Spirit doubles down on that concept when Paul stated:

But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior. (Titus 3:4-6)

who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began (2 Tim 1:9)

The Holy Spirit, through Paul and the writers of sacred Scripture repeatedly teach us that it is NOT by anything we do to merit, earn, deserve or otherwise get saved, but purely because of God's mercy and grace and if it's by grace, it can't be by works, because grace would not be grace. We receive this grace BY faith and is why God tells us we can KNOW we have eternal life.

[af_vet_1981]

Did you read the linked reference?

What "Law" was Abraham justified under?

The law of faith, which requires works.

But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.


And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

[daniel1212]

Thanks. I know I will always learn something from you. How can anyone believe man over the Bible?

That is a difference btwn a true church and a cult.

[metmom]

I am so tired of seeing people trying to control other people’s way of worship, and how they believe.....it’s not changing whether you go to heaven or not. So if you see it symbolic or you see it as his blood and body, that is between you and Christ.

Have you told something like that to Catholics who beat everyone over the head that communion is about the literal body and blood of Christ and that if you don't eat Him, you don't have Him living in you?

[daniel1212]

Drinking blood? An absolute anathema for a Jew. Paul’s idea, but I doubt very seriously it was Jesus’.

There is no difference. Neither Paul taught a piece of bread became human flesh, and was an offering for sin, with this being the primary function a NT pastors who are this called priests, and by which one obtains spiritual life.

This idea of what the gospel accounts and Jn 6 means simply is not supported in the rest of Scripture when teaching on the place and nature of the Lord's supper, and the atonement, and one obtains spiritual life. Only the figurative view is consistent wit it,. as has been shown , by God's grace.

[daniel1212]

When the priest stated that he knew the deceased “accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior” as the basis of his assurance, I almost fell out of the pew. And basically that liberal pols and laity will reach Heaven is the intimation at the funeral mass, versus that the soul indicated he was lost. "Easy believism" is what Rome effectually conveys, that as long as one dies a RC, she and your relative goodness will get you in by God's mercy. Which multitudes who never knew the new birth with its profound changes in heart and life believe, to their eternal horror.

[Kackikat]

Try ignoring religious troublemakers...that’s going to be my new way of handling such nonsense.

[boatbums]

You seem to continue to miss key phrases in all this which would help settle once and for all that our works - whether of faith, of love, of the law of Moses - do NOT make us justified in the eyes of God. Phrases like: "you see", "wilt thou know" or "seest thou" all point to how OTHERS see our faith. Man cannot look at the heart - only God can do that. Man looks on the outward appearance, on the outward show of works. God already sees the heart and knows if faith in genuine. Others can pretend to have faith and, for all practical purposes, appear to be faithful. YET...we probably all know or heard of someone who seemed to be religious but who ended up denying it all and who plunged into full blown atheism or living as functional atheists who have no thought for eternity.

That IS the whole gist of the book of James and it is only those who hold to an accursed gospel of a works based salvation - though they may pay lip service to "faith" - that pretend as if ONLY what James says counts and nothing Paul said was correct or true. They read everything through the lens of James, which is a terrible hermeneutic. There IS no law of faith which REQUIRES works. It is all by grace through faith and NOT of works lest any man should boast. A genuine faith WILL result in fruit, works of faith, but it is not that fruit which saves us - it is by grace.

This is why faithful men like Billy Graham and lowly people like me can say we KNOW we have eternal life. We know it isn't US that saves ourselves, but God who loves us and gave himself for us.

[MamaB]

Amen.

[redleghunter]

Ok I see what you are saying.

Perhaps engage the elements here who say if one does not acknowledge transubstantiation they are condemned.

[af_vet_1981]

You seem to continue to miss key phrases in all this which would help settle once and for all that our works - whether of faith, of love, of the law of Moses - do NOT make us justified in the eyes of God.

I am not persuaded by your lowly commentary. I'm going to believe all the Scriptures and not dismiss James or Messiah to believe a 500 year old doctrine of men.

[redleghunter]

You went to a lot of work to confirm something no one is arguing against. It is clear from all scriptures those of faith are to walk faithfully.

That is what James was emphasizing. He was pointing out the men of faith also acted according to the faith. Abraham would never have lifted the knife to Isacc unless he believed God’s promises.

For Christians faith is a verb. It’s action. The disciples rushed out of their hideout with the Power of the Holy Spirit and proclaimed the Gospel of Jesus.

It’s called the Acts of the Apostles for a reason:)

Grace and Peace.